The wellness products and services market in the UAE is witnessing significant growth and is poised to touch Dh11 billion ($3 billion) by 2015,  said an expert.

Over the years, the UAE has witnessed significant expansion in healthcare and wellness facilities which has put emphasis on the appeal for healthy living, pointed out Elisabeth Brehl, managing director of Epoc Messe Frankfturt, the organisers of Wellness and Spa Middle East exhibition.

A leading expo for international spa and fitness club operators and professionals, hotel operators as well as architects and designers, The Wellness and Spa Middle East will be held in Dubai from June 7 to 9.

Several top regional and international companies specialising in wellness and spa products and services will be showcasing their products at the expo.

'Personal wellness is starting to become a lifestyle trend as people seek relaxation and a respite from the pressures of daily life, and activities that cultivate physical, spiritual and mental wellbeing are becoming important to many people in deciding how to spend their leisure time,' Brehl noted.

“An ageing population of baby boomers, and the increasing stress of modern life has created a boom in wellness retreats and spas around the world,” she explained.

“Everyone’s lives have become so busy and overcrowded. A chance to breathe, relax and engage in a renewing activity and environment is becoming vital,' she added.

With the worldwide prevalent trend of wellness retreats and spas all over the world, there are many opportunities for people to participate in wellness tourism from luxury spa weekends and yoga retreats, to Ayurvedic spas that include a spiritually renewing program.

Among the top exhibitors this year are Electro-Medical Ghareini from Germany who will display wellness beds, cosmetics and treatments; EA Herbs from Malaysia who will display a wide range of spa products; Love In Style from Spain who will showcase their cosmetic line; TechnoGym Emirates from the UAE displaying Professional Cardio Machines; and Iskra Medical from Slovenia, who will be exhibiting their Green VAC Prestige, Green IRF, and Green Press.

According to a report, the total healthcare market in the UAE is estimated to touch Dh44 billion ($12 billion) by 2015, of which Dh11 billion will account for wellness products and services sectors.

The wellness and anti-ageing is now a trillion dollar business globally, says a research.

The research has also shown that the demography of this region is dominated by a young population. Combined with increased spending power, in this affluent society, the lifestyle aspirations of the majority now encompasses healthy body and mind.

The Americans and Canadians have spent Dh45 billion on wellness and spas tourism over the last two years, it added.

In 2008, the twin exhibitions Beautyworld Middle East and Wellness and Spas Middle East, registered an increase of 38 per cent in trade visitors over the previous year.

The exhibitions attracted 850 exhibitors representing 1,650 brands from 50 countries. In addition 31 country pavilions exhibited, reaffirming Beautyworld’s and Wellness & Spas’ roles as the biggest and most authoritative shows of their kind in the Middle East region.-TradeArabia News Service